Taxus cuspidata--Japanese Yew

Taxus cuspidata--Japanese Yew

Japanese yew grows in sun or shade and prefers a moist, sandy loam. Transplanting is most successful with balled and burlapped or potted plants. The species reaches a height of 40 to 50 feet and spreads 15 to 20 feet, but most cultivars are smaller. The plant is dioecious, so the red fruits, are produced only by female plants. Female plants have pointed or conical flower buds and male plants have rounded flower buds. Select mostly female plants to get the fruits, but interplant a few males to ensure pollination. Japanese yew dies back in very acid or poorly drained soil.